AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 14, 2026
Mechanical Bird 'Molly' Becomes Centerpiece of Brooklyn Store Feud
The Brooklyn-based novelty shop Art of Play has placed its singing and dancing mechanical bird 'Molly' on sale for an eye-catching $15 million, following a highly publicized incident and ongoing social media feud with pop star Kelly Clarkson.
How the Mechanical Bird Dispute Began
The saga began over the weekend when Kelly Clarkson visited Art of Play, located on Atlantic Avenue. Clarkson later described her experience on social media, claiming she had been treated poorly after inquiring about purchasing Molly, the shop's unofficial mascot—an automaton bird created by the artist Bliss Kolb. In her post, Clarkson likened her experience to that of Julia Roberts' character in 'Pretty Woman.' Clarkson said she had been turned away as if she could not afford the bird and suggested that others might not find a welcoming experience at the Brooklyn store.
Art of Play Responds to Clarkson's Allegations
Art of Play quickly countered Clarkson’s claim in a post of its own, stating that Molly was not for sale because the mechanical bird is permanently affixed to the wall. The store emphasized that Clarkson was informed Molly could not be purchased. The situation escalated when photos circulated online showing a price tag that appeared to be associated with the automaton. In a subsequent online post, Clarkson stated she had seen a tag indicating a $15,000 price for the automaton and was told alternatives at lower prices were available.
Public Scrutiny and Media Attention Mount
The incident rapidly attracted attention on social media. Surveillance video of Clarkson's visit emerged, and additional accusations were leveled at the shop, including claims unrelated to the original incident. The store’s co-owner, Adam Rubin, responded by meeting with reporters outside the shop on Tuesday to clarify details, describing the event as “an insane misunderstanding.” Rubin also stated, “We treated her like a normal person, but apparently that didn’t live up to her expectations.”
The New Price Tag: $15 Million
Addressing the growing media storm, Rubin announced a dramatic change in the bird’s status: Molly would now be available for purchase—at the extraordinary price of $15 million. Rubin explained that the bird, crafted by Seattle-based artist Bliss Kolb, is a unique piece of art, not an ordinary store item. He stated, “This is not something that’s sitting in a warehouse. It’s like a piece of sculpture. It’s a fine-art piece.”
The Fallout from A Celebrity Social Media Feud
According to Rubin, the dispute has led to negative impacts for Art of Play. He described ongoing harassment of the shop and its neighbors, as well as a surge in phone calls and online comments, prompting the store to turn off its phone. “Kelly Clarkson has put us in danger,” Rubin said, mentioning threats directed at people associated with the store. Despite media coverage camped outside the location, Rubin maintained, “Nobody who has ever visited this store in person is taking Kelly Clarkson’s side.”
Artist and Other Responses
The artist behind the automaton bird, Bliss Kolb, has not responded to requests for comment. The store asserted it had offered Clarkson a similar automaton by Kolb worth $15,000 or another bird priced at $2,000, but that Clarkson did not remain in the store long enough to see other options.
A Store Caught in the Social Media Spotlight
The story illustrates how quickly celebrity controversy and social media feuds can bring local businesses into national headlines—sometimes with unexpected outcomes. As of Tuesday, Molly the mechanical bird has become a viral sensation, commanding a multimillion-dollar price tag and spotlighting Art of Play and its owners amid ongoing debate.
Source: nbcnews.com.
